Watch Diminished Capacity

Diminished Capacity is a 2008 comedy-drama film directed by Terry Kinney and starring Matthew Broderick, Virginia Madsen, and Alan Alda. This movie tells the story of a young man named Cooper (Matthew Broderick) who has suffered a traumatic brain injury that has left him with a memory impairment. When his mother falls ill, Cooper returns to his childhood home in Missouri to visit her. There he reunites with his uncle Rollie (Alan Alda), a dying, drunken former baseball player who is struggling to hold onto his prized possession--a rare baseball card worth millions.

Cooper's step-cousin Charlotte (Virginia Madsen) is also at the house, looking after her sick father. The three end up going on a road trip together to a memorabilia show, where they hope to sell Rollie's rare baseball card for a huge sum of money. Along the way, they encounter various eccentric characters and have some surprisingly tender moments as they confront their individual struggles and grow closer as a family.

The film explores themes of family, memory, loss, and the healing power of human connection. At its core, the movie is a character study, and each of the three main characters is given ample time to shine. Broderick's portrayal of Cooper is understated and nuanced, and he effectively captures the frustration and confusion of someone struggling with memory loss.

Alda's performance as Rollie is equally impressive, as he brings depth and pathos to a character who could easily have been a one-dimensional caricature. His scenes with Cooper are particularly touching, as they bond over their shared love of baseball and their struggles with illness.

Madsen's portrayal of Charlotte is also noteworthy, as she imbues the character with a quiet strength and a vulnerability that makes her both likable and relatable. The chemistry between the three leads is palpable, and it's a joy to watch them interact as they navigate the ups and downs of their journey together.

Overall, Diminished Capacity is an engaging and thought-provoking film that offers a poignant look at the challenges of living with memory loss and the power of human connection to help us heal. It's a testament to the talents of its cast and director, and a must-see for fans of character-driven drama with a touch of humor.

Diminished Capacity is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 54.